I need a daily beater, What to look for? Options

[00 SS]

It's been a while since I've considered buying a little car just to go from point A to point B but I find myself needing one. I have a few requirements.

1. It must be capable of at least 80 on the highway without being right at redline.

2. It must get at least 30 MPG on the highway.

3. It must have enough room for 4 people or 2 people and 2 big dogs.

4. It must be competent in bad weather and snow.

5. It must be cheap because I plan to pile miles on it and replace it in a couple years.

6. I'd preffer sometheing newer to keep maintenance costs down.

Any suggestions?

[CrashTestDummy]

Honduh Civic 4-door.

[00 SS]

I was afaid that might be the answer.

Any other ideas?

[Pilot]

AMC Gremlin (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

It may not fit your needs, but damn is it stylish... :leaving:

[00 SS]

I'd hate to see the inside of your house if you think a Gremlin is stylish. I'm picturing orange deep shag carpet and various shades of purple and pink walls and furniture.

[2000Z-71]

Mike,

This might be a little thinking outside the box, what about an LT-1 Caprice station wagon? The only reason I bring it up is one of the newbies here at my office has one that he made his into an Impala SS wagon and it actually looks kinda' cool. It would meet all of your requirements except for the 30mpg part.

Other than that, a generic GM Oldsmontiac 4 door sedan with the 3800 V-6 like an Impala, Grand Prix, Regal, etc. Cheap to buy, reliable, gets around 30 on the highway, front wheel drive for the snow.

[bubba353z]

I was afaid that might be the answer.

Any other ideas?

I've got a '99 Civic and it's a great daily driver - cheap to feed and keep. In 65k I've put one set of brakes and tires, regular oil changes, and two sets of plugs into it - and that's about it.....

You might consider a Hyundai Elantra - the 100k powertrain warranty is a strong arguement for a car that you're gonna run the piss out of in a short timeframe.

If that's not your cup of tea, look at a 4 cyl Accord or Camry. It should be darn close to 30mpg, and do everything else well to boot.

[00 SS]

The 3800 V6 cars wouldn't be bad, but I can't find one without huge miles or way over priced. The LT-1 caprice is interesting, but hard to find in servicable condition. I did find a Park Ave ultra and Lincoln LS for under 10K, but I was shooting for a bit lower price.

The little civics are actually pretty pricey around here for anything that looks like it might be in good shape.

[2000Z-71]

Do a little research with Kelly or Edmund's on the 3800 cars, especially the Buicks, their resale typically isn't that high. I can't imagine a private party having one of those has people beating down their door offering to buy it. Offer them what's fair and they'd probably take it.

Our neighbor just bought an 02 Regal for the almost the same reasons you're looking for a beater. He bought it with 40,000 miles for like $6,500, of course it took him like 3 weeks of haggling back and forth with the previous owner. Just be careful or you'll get the rude surprise my neighbor did and found it was a former Avis rental car. And we all know how people treat rental cars....

This post has been edited by 2000Z-71: Aug 22 2005, 11:44 PM

[BigEnos]

I picked up a nice little 1985 Nissan Maxima SE a few years back. Meets just about all your needs, but I can only eek out 26 or so mpg. Car was $1500 to buy and didn't need a ton of work.

My point is not to say go out and find a 1985 Maxima, I doubt you'll find any good ones. Put the word out to all your gearhead buddies that you need a beater, you'd be surprised what comes out of the woodwork. That's how I found mine. Low-mile older japanese cars and recent, but unloved domestics (trying not to offend Cavalier and grand-am owners here) will probably be your best bet. Olds Aleros are good/cheap, too.

[CMC #37]

I'd hate to see the inside of your house if you think a Gremlin is stylish. I'm picturing orange deep shag carpet and various shades of purple and pink walls and furniture.

You can drive it and do the head bob to Queen! :drive: (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[firehawkclone]

Sentra, or an s10 blazer 4dr (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Did a search 10g, 75t miles, manual, and i got all kinds of 03 20 to 50t mile's.

[rpoz-29]

A Dodge Sundance, Omni, Daytona, etc, with the non-turbo 2.2, or 2.5 liter four banger. They're cheap as dirt, and seem to be pretty tough. I bought my sister's for my oldest drive to college. When he bought a new car, I gave it to my nephew. It now has 320,00 miles on it. I did have to replace the head gasket, and decided to re-ring it in the frame. It has no cross-member to interfere with dropping the oil pan, so it's easy, and parts are cheap and plentiful. His got a little better than 30mpg, and I've seen 80 in it. It won't do much for your social standing, but they make great beaters. Just my .02 worth.

[pknowles]

Old VW bug with dune buggy kit and 35" swampers. Big swampers never wear out, but your fillings in your teeth will.

[Vracer111]

It's been a while since I've considered buying a little car just to go from point A to point B but I find myself needing one.  I have a few requirements.

1.  It must be capable of at least 80 on the highway without being right at redline.

2.  It must get at least 30 MPG on the highway.

3.  It must have enough room for 4 people or 2 people and 2 big dogs.

4.  It must be competent in bad weather and snow.

5.  It must be cheap because I plan to pile miles on it and replace it in a couple years.

6.  I'd preffer sometheing newer to keep maintenance costs down.

Any suggestions?

I'f you want a fun yet reliable beater check out a '90-'93 Acura Integra RS Hatchback...RS because it's the lightest Integra that was made (~2500lbs).
Bought one for $1300 with 115k on it (motor and transmission are in excellent condition!) and put another $1500 into it to correct known issues with the particular vehicle (replacement of CV shafts, new pan seals/valve cover gaskets, and new Main Relay) plus upgrade its performance with items from my previous Integra GS (Tokico Illumina dampers, Eibach Prokit Springs, Neuspeed front tie bar, Axxis Ultimate brake pads, and my old worn looking 15x7 American racing Spyder wheels mounted with 205/50-15 Hankook R-S2 Z212 tires.) All the interior except for the dash was removed because interior and carpeting were in bad shape. Not only does that Integra RS get 35mpg cruising and around 27 average, but at its first autocross event last month the times I got with it would have been neck and neck with my SM Camaro based on past SM class results... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) And its handling is nearly instantaneous with nearly no understeer at all, yet was not nervous - rock stable. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

The second generation Integra has to be one of the best Honda's ever made... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) And it's much easier to work on than the dang 4th Gen Camaro! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant2.gif) Oh and you know what is sad... the V6 Camaro's top speed is limited around 15mph below the Integra's... LOL

[y5e06]

Mike,

This might be a little thinking outside the box, what about an LT-1 Caprice station wagon? 

LT1 B-Bodies are great deals if you can handle the fuel milage. On the highway I might pull down 25-26 if I ease up on the pedal. The cars are cavernous, you can cram all kinds of stuff in them. I've bought two ex-sherriff service units (9C1) and both have held up great (sold one to a friend) with very little and no outlay to get them up to snuff. Buick Road Masters and Caddy Fleetwoods are at the top of the list w/ caprices cheapest to buy. I saw a fleetwood advertised for $2K locally last week.

oh, for the ex service vehicles.... the donut jokes never get old

This post has been edited by y5e06: Aug 23 2005, 03:07 AM

[Pilot]

I'd hate to see the inside of your house if you think a Gremlin is stylish. I'm picturing orange deep shag carpet and various shades of purple and pink walls and furniture.

You can drive it and do the head bob to Queen! :drive: (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Awwwww yeah!!!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

[Ojustracing]

Mike I hate to say this. How about a late model Taurus. Auction prices around here have 04/05 with 25,000 aprox 8,000. Still have factory warranty. I just wonder what the repair bills will be after a few miles. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif) Later John

[torontoZ28]

Ive been happy with my Mazda Protege 4 door. Excellent fuel economy, decent handling (for what it is). This car has seen 190K km's of stop and go city driving, 3 drag days and even 5 lapping days and Ive gone through front rotors only once, and am still on the original clutch - no slipping or chattering!

[BigEnos]

Mike I hate to say this. How about a late model Taurus. Auction prices around here have 04/05 with 25,000 aprox 8,000. Still have factory warranty. I just wonder what the repair bills will be after a few miles. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif) Later John

I was thinking about suggesting the taurus, too. Unfortunately I bet 80% of the used ones you'll find are ex-rental cars. :leaving:

I guess the same can be said of the Alero, Cavalier, Grand Am, but not that high a percentage.